Right after church today, we took a minute to take a picture of the beautiful tree at the end of our street. It is huge and covered with purple blossoms. I'm almost convinced that it is called a Jacaranda tree. They are found from Malaysia to South Africa. Pretoria, South Africa is apparently called the Jacaranda City because there are so many of these trees there. This Canadian prairie girl from the second worst growing zone on the planet has a lot to learn! I've even discovered that there is a Spanish children's song that is common here in Mexico that is all about this tree. Who knew? It's a pretty little tune, especially with guitar accompaniment. If you care to listen, this video link provides the first verse and chorus. It's amateur video - not very slick to watch but beautiful to listen to. http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-5382676451796928782&q=Al+Este+y+al+Oeste+llueve+y+llover%C3%A1&total=1&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0This has been our second week of very warm afternoon temperatures. When we got in the house, Marcel went onto our little balcony to water the flowers and noticed several grass fires across the valley. The second picture was taken at twilight. About a half an hour ago the flames from this fire were taller than the street lights! Now it seems to be finally dying down after burning for five hours. With 97% of the homes being built of cement and so many people needing water for personal consumption, fire hydrants are not a part of the city planning. Rather, firefighters use tanker trucks to respond to their fire calls. I don't think I would have noticed this but Marcel, having formerly been a firefighter, sure did.
It has been fascinating to see how God prepared us in other ways to be here in Mexico City. Yesterday we were able to meet with our neighbors right across the street from us. Their son is studying English and asked for our help with one of his conversation assignments. As we got to know this family, we discovered that they used to have a small Mexican airline. The father brought out an aviation magazine. Marcel recognized the magazine because he has bought a few issues to read and improve his Spanish with vocabulary and familiar topics. Much to our surprise, the family's airline was the feature article of the magazine we were shown! The father showed Marcel photos of their various aircraft. There are few people in the world who would enjoy discussing various airplanes but Marcel is one of them. It was fun to watch this Mexican man's face light up as Marcel oohed and awed over his airplane photos.
It seems like a near impossible task to reach these extremely Catholic people here in Mexico. You even see it in their names, like the mother of this family: Maria de Jesus (Mary of Jesus). Maria and I had a little bonding moment when we realized that we both like airplanes but that our husbands are passionate about airplanes. Our family probably bother these people because our kids are too noisy when they play outside sometimes, acting like they are still on a farm with neighbors a mile or so away. This family across the street have children with a start-up rock band that practise outside on their patio and definately bother us back, yet I think we have just made some lasting friends. :) We are excited to see how God will yet use us, even at this stage of clutzy Spanish. I am convinced that these successes are the result of your prayers so please don't stop praying!
It has been fascinating to see how God prepared us in other ways to be here in Mexico City. Yesterday we were able to meet with our neighbors right across the street from us. Their son is studying English and asked for our help with one of his conversation assignments. As we got to know this family, we discovered that they used to have a small Mexican airline. The father brought out an aviation magazine. Marcel recognized the magazine because he has bought a few issues to read and improve his Spanish with vocabulary and familiar topics. Much to our surprise, the family's airline was the feature article of the magazine we were shown! The father showed Marcel photos of their various aircraft. There are few people in the world who would enjoy discussing various airplanes but Marcel is one of them. It was fun to watch this Mexican man's face light up as Marcel oohed and awed over his airplane photos.
It seems like a near impossible task to reach these extremely Catholic people here in Mexico. You even see it in their names, like the mother of this family: Maria de Jesus (Mary of Jesus). Maria and I had a little bonding moment when we realized that we both like airplanes but that our husbands are passionate about airplanes. Our family probably bother these people because our kids are too noisy when they play outside sometimes, acting like they are still on a farm with neighbors a mile or so away. This family across the street have children with a start-up rock band that practise outside on their patio and definately bother us back, yet I think we have just made some lasting friends. :) We are excited to see how God will yet use us, even at this stage of clutzy Spanish. I am convinced that these successes are the result of your prayers so please don't stop praying!
2 comments:
Awesome post! It's so great how God uses connections like these - which is why we need all kinds of different believers in Mexico!
We were just noticing those beautiful "purple trees" yesterday. Beautiful flowers for every season, eh? I love Mexico.
When I read of your family in God's work, your children always come to mind as such useful tools for God and here dad and even mom are "stars" for God this day!(Just kidding) we pray for your family daily for all family members! keep being just who you are and we'll be amazed at God's ability to use you all!! joy reed
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